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PURPOSE

The purpose of this guideline is to provide a consistent approach to structural firefighting strategies and tactics. These concepts are written as guidelines to provide fire officers the ability to adjust tactics to a specific emergency. Theses guidelines are in no way intended to replace one of the most important assets on the fireground, the thinking fire officer. These guidelines are written to provide a standardized vision of strategies that will be used on the fireground. Officers are allowed to deviate from the guidelines when conditions or situations warrant and should immediately notify the Battalion Chief or Incident Commander of their actions.

EXPECTATIONS

All firefighters should be intimately familiar with the tactical guidelines. Company officers should understand all company assignments and how each unit works within the larger fireground picture. All personnel should know the guidelines well enough, so that when they have to deviate from the guidelines, they realize the impact their actions will have on other operating companies, and communicate accordingly.

DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTS

Accountability Officer – Assigned Officer responsible for the tracking and verification of personnel on the fireground.

Defensive Mode – Command option when the Rescue Mode is not imminent and thereare NO life-safety issues. This is also when resources are not available (second or third due engine companies). This Mode is declared when risks out weigh benefits. This Mode identifies an exterior attack for an extended duration-“Risk a little to Save a little”

Door Control – The process of ensuring the entrance door providing access to the firearea is controlled and closed as much as possible after teams enter the structure.Steps must be taken to prevent the door from locking behind the entering members. By controlling the door, we are controlling the flow path of fire conditions from the high pressure of the fire area towards the low pressure area on the other side of the door. Door control also limits fire development by controlling the flow path of fresh air at the lower level of the open door towards the seat of the fire.

Driver Pump Operations (DPO) – A description of the duties and responsibilities that the Drivers (Position “D”) are required to perform on scene.

Fire Attack Mode-When a determination of the first arriving officer deems rescue isNOT imminent. This mode may start out with a quick exterior attack and transition to a interior attack. Command will announce as a “Working Fire”

Fire Department Connection (FDC) – Water supply connection on Commercial andMulti-Family Buildings, which supplies water to the sprinkler system and/or standpipe system.

Flashover – A transition in the development of a compartment fire when surfacesexposed to thermal radiation from fire gases in excess of 1100°F reach ignitiontemperature more or less simultaneously. This causes the fire to spread rapidlythroughout the space, resulting in fire involvement of the entire compartment orenclosed space.

Flow Path – The movement of heat and smoke from the higher pressure within the firearea towards the lower pressure areas accessible via doors, window openings and roofstructures. As the heated fire gases are moving towards the low pressure areas, theenergy of the fire is pulling in additional oxygen from the low pressure areas. Based onvarying building design and the available ventilation openings (doors, windows, etc.),there may be several flow paths within a structure. Any operations conducted in theflow path will place members at significant risk due to the increased flow of fire, heatand smoke toward their position.

Flow Path Control – The tactic of controlling or closing ventilation points which will:Limit additional oxygen into the space thereby limiting fire development, heat releaserate and smoke production. Control the movement of the heat and smoke conditions out of the fire area to the exterior and to other areas within the building.

Incident Commander – Referred to as “Command” of the incident. This is the first orhighest ranking Officer or Acting Officer on the incident, who is responsible for theoversight or direction of the incident strategy.

Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) – Crew of personnel who temporality assembles toprovide for the safety and rescue of the firefighting crews. Once additional manpowerassemble to meet the required “Two-In, Two-Out” Rule, they assume their primaryfunction on the fireground.

Investigative Mode – Command option where the first-in unit investigates and otherapparatus stage. This is when there is NO visible or apparent emergency upon arrival.Example: Responding for a fire alarm with nothing showing upon arrival.

On-Deck – The movement from one position to another. This is used as a descriptionwhen personnel move from the Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) to interior Fire Attack/ Search Crews etc.

Operations (Forward Ops.) – Assigned Officer who provides tactical direction topersonnel engaged in firefighting and rescue operations. This person can be locatedclose to or in the building where the incident is taking place.

Manpower Pool – Group of personnel assembled away from the incident, which areprepared and teamed for incident operations.

Mayday – A standard three-word distress call to indicate that a firefighter, emergencymedical technician, or team is in immediate danger and requires assistance.

Medical Rehab Group – Group of personnel who are assigned to monitoring,documentation and possible care of personnel who have been engaged in firefightingoperations.

Personal Accountability Report (PAR) – A system utilized by the Incident Commander(IC) via the radio and accountability System, to verify the status of personnel at anincident.

Primary Hydrant/Water Source – Hydrant or water source closest to the incident.

Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) – ALS provider who responds to emergencies in a car.

Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) – Crew of personnel solely dedicated to the safety andrescue of the firefighting crews.

Rescue Mode – Command option where critical life safety situations are present.Command will announce as a “Working Fire”. This mode will be declared when there is entrapment of occupants or firefighters. This should be considered on non-fire related emergencies. (structural collapse, confined space, trench collapse) The Rescue Mode ends when the occupants or firefighters have been removed or the determination for rescue is NOT possible.

Rural Water Supply – A water supply system established where a distribution system isnot present. Mostly found in the rural parts of the locality where apparatus is required to shuttle water to the incident.

Safety Officer – Assigned Officer responsible for the overall safety of the incidentoperation.

Secondary Hydrant/Water Source – Hydrant or water source near the incident, but fromanother direction that is separate from the primary hydrant or water source.

S.L.I.C.E.R.S.– Slice is a Fire Attack Mode tactic used to reduce temperatures inside a building prior to entry by firefighting personnel for extinguishment or rescue.

Truck Operations – Support Operations that are assigned to Truck Companies thatprovide assistance in firefighting and rescue operations.

VENT-ENTER-ISOLATE-SEARCH (V.E.I.S.) – is the approved tactic when entering a structure through an opening (door or window) to search an area for the location of the fire or to locate possible victims. The priority upon entering the area via a window is to close the door to that room or area in order to isolate that area being searched from the fire area. When entering a fire area via a doorway entrance, the door needs to be controlled until the fire area is further isolated or a charged hoseline is advancing on the fire. By isolating the area, we are controlling the flow path of the fire, heat and smoke towards the ventilation point as well as controlling the air flow from the ventilation point towards the fire area.

INCIDENT SIZE UP

It is critical that the company officer communicate a concise size up of every situation. This information sets the tone for the incident and prompts the dispatcher to ensure the appropriate resources are allocated based on the incident type. The initial radio report should include the follow:

• Unit Number
• Conditions (Verify situation or declare a “working incident” and specify the type (See Table 1)
• Building construction type
• Establish Command
• Declare operational mode

(Table 1: Situation Types)

Requesting Additional Resources:

Ensure conditions reported to the dispatcher are accurate so that the correct units canbe dispatched.

The incident commander can either request specific units as needed or request asecond alarm. A second alarm doubles the resources currently assigned to theappropriate situation type.

Example of an escalating incident:

Engine 1 is dispatched for a residential fire alarm

Engine 1 arrives with a working house fire. Engine 1 transmits, “Engine 1 is on thescene of a working residential fire in a 1 story wood frame dwelling. Engine 1 isestablishing “Any Street Command” and operating in Fire Attack Mode.

The dispatcher will “reclassify” the call from fire alarm to working residential fire andautomatically dispatch the appropriate resources for that call type.

INCIDENT PRIORITIES

The following priorities will guide decision making during the incident:

• Life Safety
• Incident Stabilization
• Property Conservation

When operation at structure fires, the following tactical goals apply:

SEQUENTIAL ACTIONS: To take place in order:

Size Up

Size-up must occur at every fire, and as a result of the size-up, the resources availableand situational conditions; weather, fire location, size, structure, construction etc. Atactical plan for that fire must be developed, communicated and implemented. Firstarriving officers/incident commanders are responsible for obtaining a 360 degree view of the structure involved. Where impractical because of building size or obstructions, the incident commander should delegate other arriving units to view parts of the structure unseen by the incident commander.

Radio Benchmarks

• Initial Radio Report
• Declare Operational Mode (Rescue Mode, Fire Attack Mode, Defensive Mode, Investigative Mode

Locate the Fire

The location and extent of the fire in the building must be determined. Officers should use all means available to make this determination. Thermal Imagers should be booted prior to arrival and at the ready for the initial 360 degree lap of the structure. The location of the fire and current conditions will dictate the best location to attack the fire.

Identify the Flow Path

The incident commander should identify the presence and/or location of the flow path. Effort should be taken to control ventilation and the flow path to protect potential building occupants and limit fire growth. If a flow path is visible, consider closing doors and windows to limit air flow. When closing doors and windows, firefighters should be aware of any potential rescues readily accessible via doors/windows.

Cool the Space from the Safest Location

Given information obtained during the size up, locating the fire and identifying the flow path, the incident commander will determine if high heat conditions exist inside the structure. When high conditions are present, the incident commander will determine the safest and most direct way to apply water to the superheated space, or directly on the fire when available. The primary goal in this step is to reduce the thermal threat to firefighters and potential occupants as soon as reasonably possible.

Radio Benchmarks

• Fire has been “Reset” (State location)
• Communicate method of continued operations

Extinguish the Fire

Once the thermal threats have been controlled, the fire should be extinguished in themost direct manner possible. The incident commander should recognized the potential for the thermal threat to return and should move to extinguish the fire quickly. The incident commander should ensure the proper initial rescue crews (IRIC) are in place for interior fire attack operations.

Radio Benchmarks

• “Water on the Fire,” when water is applied to seat of fire

ACTIONS OF OPPORTUNITY: May occur at any time

Rescue

The incident commander should consider the potential for rescues at all times.Firefighters should be prepared to remove occupants. It should be reinforced that often the best action the fire department can take is to suppress the fire. The incidentcommander and fireground officers must make a rapid and informed choice on thepriority and sequence of suppression activities verses occupant removal. As life safetyis the highest tactical priority, rescue shall always take precedence. The incidentcommander must determine the best course of action to ensure the best outcome foroccupants based on the conditions at that time.

Salvage

Firefighters should use compartmentalization to control fire spread and smokewhenever possible.

Special Note on Ventilation: Fire departments should manage, and control the openings to the structure to limit fire growth and spread and to control the flow path of inlet air and fire gases during tactical operations. All ventilation must be coordinated with suppression activities. Uncontrolled ventilation allows additional oxygen into the structure which may result in a rapid increase in the size and hazard of the fire due to increased heat release rates.Residential Assignment

Dispatch Assignment

(3) Engines, (1) Truck, (1) Heavy Squad, (1) Medic Unit/Ambulance, (1) QRV, (1)Battalion Chief and Air Utility

First Engine

• Position Engine past structure or stop short to leave room for 1st Truck.
• Establish command, give initial size up, identify and initiate water supply (Rural Water Shuttle if necessary) and state operational mode.
• Complete lap around building.
• Responsibilities: Rescue Mode-Rescue of occupants. Fire Attack Mode-Initiate SLICERS. DPO operations. Pull 2 attack lines. Defensive Mode-No entry.

Second Engine

• Position apparatus at primary hydrant (when available) and secure water. In rural water settings, pick up the 1st Engine’s supply line and prepare for rural water operations.
• Ensure continuous water to 1st Engine. If 1st engine can get its own water, support the FDC.
• Responsibilities: Establish Initial Rapid Intervention Crew (IRIC) when no rescue is evident. In rescue and fire attack mode, initiate 2nd attack line and support initial attack. DPO/Water Supply Operations. If no Truck Company, prepare for Initial Search.

Third Engine

• Position apparatus at secondary hydrant (At or near front), when available to establish secondary water source.
• Lay-in and supply water for 1st Truck Operations.
• If rural water, deliver water to 2nd engine and drop crew. Apparatus to help setup dump site for rural water operation.
• Responsibilities: Establish On-Deck Rapids Intervention Crew, Initiate a handline dedicated for RIC use only. DPO/Water Supply Operations.

First Truck

• Position apparatus at or near front.
• Ladder roof unless advised otherwise by command.
• Prepare for immediate V.E.I.S. when appropriate
• Responsibilities: Prepare for forcible entry, search, salvage and overhaul.
• Coordinate with command for access for compartment cooling, place ground ladders for escape, control utilities.

Heavy Squad

• If arriving before Truck with necessary staffing, assume primary Truck Operations duties. Otherwise, position apparatus away from scene.
• Responsibilities: Serve in role appropriate for arrival.

Medic/Ambulance

• Qualified Medic Units should serve as initial IRIC until relieved.
• Establish Medical/Rehab Group.

Battalion Chief

• 1st BC: Position command vehicle to serve the command function. Obtain progress reports and assume Command as necessary. Establish an Accountability Officer (QRV, Staff) and Safety Officer (Staff). Maintain dedicated Medic Unit for incident, not involved in firefighting operation.
• 2nd BC: Operations (Forward Ops.)

QRV

• Report to Command
• Establish Accountability Officer

Tanker Box

• 1st – Report to Dump Site to Deliver Water.
• 2nd Tanker – Report to Dump Site to Deliver Water.
• Engine – Report to Fill Site to Set-Up Fill Operation